This Week At Home, 2012, Week 7

Monday...
Sickness has struck, again.  This time it is my dear Trevor.  He had a fever Sunday evening and a low grade temperature today.  Thankfully, Grace was only ill for a few days last week. I am praying no one else gets it, of course.

So, we took it easy today on the lessons.  I got the laundry caught up.  Took Grace to gym class. Bought some yummy bread at Great Harvest, and let the kids watch movies the rest of the day.  Of course, this means we will have to work harder the rest of the week, but hey, that really is OK.  I've built in days like this to our calendar, just in case we need them.

My bird lover. 

Tuesday...
It snowed!  Only a couple inches, but enough to need the driveway cleared off.  Which, a sweet girl did on her own accord! What a happy St. Valentine's Day!  We got our lessons done in time to entertain our dear little friend.  Then,Grace had art class, her favorite thing of the week.  And tonight, we are having a special dinner of shrimp and other good things to celebrate God's love.  The day was full of love.  Love of good books, love of others, and love of chocolate! 

Long gone treats...A picture sure lasts longer. 

Wednesday...
Breaking news!  AWANA was cancelled tonight.  While I am sad for the reason, I am always glad for another night at home.  (There is a measles outbreak and several people at church are affected.  I am glad they are being careful. And thankful my kids had those shots!)

We enjoyed a slow-paced day at home.  Lots of time to read and dream.  Ryan and I took an afternoon power walk at the park.  Unfortunately, it started to rain.  I was very glad to spend a little time just walking and talking with my fine young son.

Thursday...
Karate is cancelled tonight, also due to the measles outbreak.  This is turning into a week of multiple nights at home.  Yippee! Our pace has really slowed down this week and I am very  happy about that. 

I wish Trevor were feeling all better, but it is taking a little time.  He is coughing and has a headache today, but no fever, thankfully.  We manage to get our lessons almost done and watch a little science TV.  (Mythbusters is school, right?) 

All that remains of a lovely recent coffee date.  

Friday... Today we will finish our lessons and then just hang around, trying to get Trevor all better.  No big plans this weekend, either. I think this afternoon, I'll grab one of my healthier kiddos and go take a walk in the park again as it is supposed to be warmer and actually dry. 

So cozy. 

I am so thankful for this quieter, slow paced week.  It's been kind of cozy, actually.  Sorry that my Trevor has been sick, but happy to be home, all the same!
~Jenn

Wordless Wednesday: My Sleeper

Let sleeping teens lie. 

(When I leave him to his own sleeping rhythm, usually only on Saturdays, I don't see him until 11 o'clock AM, even with the bright sun shining! )   

This Week At Home, 2012 Week 6

Happy second week of February! With our whirlwind weekend, the week got off to a slow start, but gained momentum towards the end. 

Watching the big game with Granddaddy.

Sunday, we were able to watch the Super Bowl, enjoying some relaxing family time.

Monday was devoted to laundry with lessons in between the buzzer going off. I had blankets, sheets, dress clothes, and play clothes for five people to process!!! It was like getting back from a camping trip.  The contractor was here today,also, to install the new bookcase.  (See below) 
 

Working on lessons.

A flower to cheer the winter heart.

Tuesday, our little friend was here for six hours.  We were able to get the basics done before she arrived.  I kept the laundry going in the afternoon. 

Wednesday, we really stepped things up so that we could come from behind to finish our 5 days worth of reading in 4 by Thursday.

Lovely baby. 

Thursday, the laundry was finally caught up, put away, and I was able to stock the larder.  We also got our lessons wrapped up. We are even ahead in one book.   Yay!

Reading to baby.

Friday, we had a morning errand to run, then got to cleaning up for small group tonight.  Trevor is off to the Children's Museum with grandparents.  (Lucky dog.) They are calling for snow today.  I really hope not! 

Writing up a storm this week. 

Here is the new bookcase.  In that spot before was a 1960's charcoal grill.  Yes, an indoor grill!  Who would use such a thing???  (Imagine the smoke and mess.)  Anyway, now it is put to better use.  The change was inspired by a leak in the flue to the grill.  It poured in water!  Yuck! 

New bookcase installed! 

As of today, we have 56 more days left until we are done with school!  56 days until I have a young man in highschool!  *gulp* Where has this year flown to?

Have a great weekend!
Jenn

Wordless Wednesday: More Dunes

Indiana Dunes State Park 

The Monday After is Always Hard

Brr! 

Good morning, friends!  We are back, safe and sound, from our whirlwind trip up north to say good-bye to Jeff's grandmother.  It was bitter sweet, of course.  I so loved taking an hour long hike in the dunes, but would rather we had been there for different reasons.

The weather was not as pleasant as we'd have liked, 30's and cloudy.  But, that did not detract from the beauty of that place.  Of course, we got the usual,"You're crazy!" from our family who live up there.  That's OK.  Winter hiking is not for everyone.

A lonely parking lot

The actual funeral went well.  Jeff gave a great message that honored his grandmother.  Seeing all his family was great, too.  We all went out to lunch afterwards and then to his uncle's home for dessert and a chance to take a memento of hers. 

All smiles

And now, we are sleep deprived from our trip with a big game party on top of it all.  I think I will go to bed early tonight! 

Foggy lake

***  Please excuse the blurry phone photos, as usual.

This Week At Home, 2012 Number 5

Monday at gym class

Monday felt like a Monday.  Gym class went well.  I do enjoy talking to the friends I've met there.  On the way home, I stopped at a Great Harvest Bakery to get some bread.  I admit, I was lazy and did not want to bake bread.  Also, I wanted to support a local store.  I know running a bakery is hard work.  I also like how they are committed to good bread.

Tuesday enjoying the warm day. 

Tuesday was another warm day.  We are now spoiled and the birds are totally confused.  They are singing, which brings joy to my heart, but fear for their jolly souls when winter comes back, as we all know it will.

We watched our little friend today.  She came to the door with her little pink Wii remote.  So cute!  She is quite good at Mario Kart for a 5 year old. 

Grace brought home her latest work of art from art class.

Later in the day, we learned that Jeff's grandma passed away.  She was 94 and very unhappy.  She had quite a hard life with some difficult losses, her husband and only daughter in the 1950's.  What I will remember most is her love for my children.  She so enjoyed watching them swim in their grandpa's (her son's) pool almost every summer until last year when she became too frail. 

Grace's latest work of art.

Wednesday we enjoyed a few hours outside with friends after lessons.  AWANA was crazy as usual. Ryan was invited to a friend's house for the evening as youth group was taking a select group of kids down to the Super Bowl hoop-la, and as you might have guessed, Ryan has less than zero interest in that.  He's all geek.  100% geek and proud of it. 

My Wednesday ice after walking.  It feels so much better! 

Thursday, we did our lessons and headed out to get the things we need for the weekend.  Dear husband and I went to get a new hard drive for my laptop while the kids were at karate.  Unfortunately, the guy at the store informed us that there is a hard drive shortage due to flooding in Taiwan.   How inconvenient for them (and me!) Time for plan B.  Not sure what that is at the moment. 

 

The Math Buddy strikes again! 

Friday is going to be the start of a very busy,family filled weekend, of which I will write about later.  Until then, toodle oo! 
~Jenn

Wordless Wednesday: Large and in Charge!

(I should know by now that my Wordless Wednesday is never wordless!)

Today he backed up my laptop, which is acting unstable.  (Of course he will figure  out why soon.  Most likely the hard drive he says.)

He changed our only Windows computer so that it will dual boot Ubuntu with Ubuntu being the defalut.  (yay!)

And this afternoon he will upgrade the computer I am currently using to a new operating system.  Why?  Because he can!  He is not one to leave something that works alone.  (lol.)

And this week he has earned $11 and a cool mouse in trade for his tech support.  Last week he earned $20.  He's motivated to earn money because he wants a $400 new computer.  He has never had a new one, only cast-offs. 

I tell you what, he is on his way to big things!  And, yes, I am very, very biased.

~Jenn

PS Maybe some premature good news, but it turns out that the hard drive might have just been loose in the laptop.  We'll see if putting it in firmly does the trick.  Otherwise, I will get a new hard drive installed by my favorite geek this weekend.